Seoul film archive hosts Iranian family-themed productions
The Korean Film Archive (KOFA) opened its doors on September 24 to a four-day Iranian Film Week titled ‘Family Portrait,’ featuring works by leading directors from Tehran and a new generation of filmmakers.
The screenings, staged from September 24 to 27 at the Korean Film Archive’s cinematheque in Seoul, bring together dramas noted for their humane and social themes.
Organized jointly by Iran’s Embassy in Seoul, the Korean archive and Tehran-based Soureh Cinema Organization, the program aims to give South Korean audiences a glimpse into family life in contemporary Iran.
Reza Mirkarimi’s ‘A Cube of Sugar’ served as the opening night film, accompanied by a formal inauguration ceremony. Other titles include Maziar Miri’s ‘The Painting Pool,’ Hamed Mohammadi’s ‘Angels Descend Together,’ and ‘In the Arms of the Tree,’ the latest feature from Babak Khajeh Pasha.
Organizers said the films were selected for their shared focus on “family relations” and the fine line between tradition and modernity in Iranian society. “Each film tells a different story, yet they all explore the universal language of family,” one of the curators remarked.
Iranian cinema has long been acclaimed abroad for its pared-down style and moral storytelling. For Seoul viewers, the Family Portrait showcase offers what promoters describe as “a fresh angle” on Iranian culture through characters caught in everyday dilemmas.
International distribution of the selected works is handled by Soureh Cinema Organization. The Seoul screenings add to a string of recent cultural exchanges between Iranian filmmakers and Asian audiences, underscoring the continued relevance of Iranian cinema on the global stage.